Chocolate Protein Balls (Nut-Free)
These chocolate protein balls are an easy no-bake snack that tastes like a fudgy brownie bite, but with a protein boost. They’re made with sunflower seed butter instead of nuts, which makes them nut-free and lunchbox friendly.
Why You’ll Love These Protein Balls
These no-bake brownie protein balls are a great option because they’re:
- Gluten-free and nut-free,
- Quick and easy to make,
- Perfect for snacks and lunchboxes,
- Great for a freezer stash,
- Easy to customise depending on what protein powder you have
Ingredients You Need
To make these, you will need:
- sunflower seed butter (or your choice of nut-free butter),
- protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
- cocoa powder
- maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- salt
- water (just a small amount to bring it together)
- desiccated coconut (optional, but great for rolling)
How To Make Chocolate Protein Balls
Step 1: Add the sunflower seed butter, protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt to a food processor. Blitz until the mixture starts to combine into a crumbly dough.
Step 2: Add 1 tablespoon of water and blitz again until the dough becomes thick and slightly sticky.
Step 3: Scoop and roll into 12 tablespoon sized balls. Roll each ball into desiccated coconut (optional, but recommended).
Step 4: Store in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat.
Chocolate Protein Balls (Nut-Free)
Equipment
- High speed food processor or blender
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup sunflower seed butter, or nut-free butter of choice
- ½ cup protein powder, chocolate or vanilla works
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- water, as required
Optional:
- desiccated coconut, for rolling
Instructions
- Add the sunflower seed butter, protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor.
- Blitz until the mixture starts to combine into a crumbly dough.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water and blitz again until the dough becomes thick and slightly sticky.
- Scoop and roll into 12 tablespoon-sized balls.
- Roll each ball in desiccated coconut (optional, but recommended).
- Store in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat.
Recipe Notes:
Tips for the Best Texture:
Protein powders vary a lot between brands, so your dough may look slightly different depending on what you use.- If your mixture feels too dry, add an extra ½ teaspoon water at a time
- If it feels too sticky, add 1 tablespoon extra protein powder
- Rolling them in coconut helps stop them sticking to your hands and adds a nicer finish
STORAGE:
These are perfect for meal prep and make a great snack stash:- Fridge – for up to 7 days,
- Freezer – for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
A Note About Flavour
Because these are made with protein powder, the flavour will depend on the brand you use. Some protein powders have a stronger taste than others.
In our house, these are a huge hit with my teen son, but if you prefer a sweeter bliss-ball style snack, rolling them in coconut really helps, and you can also increase the maple syrup slightly if you like them more dessert like.
More Easy No-Bake Snacks You Might Like
If you love simple gluten-free snack recipes like this, you might also enjoy:
- Apricot Bliss Balls
- Chocolate Seed Bars
- Coconut Energy Balls
- Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls
